Method of mounting ornamental accessories on steering wheels



p a 1939. G. A. LYQN 2,153,380

METHOD OF MOUNTING ORNAMENTAL ACCESSORIES ON STEERING WHEELS Filed Nov.25, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l GE'OEGE 1149597 ZmM pr 1939. G A. LYON2,153,380

METHOD OF MOUNTING ORNAMENTAL ACCESSORIES ON STEERING WHEELS Filed Nov.25, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 650 961 flzaaerlymv.

G. A. LYVON April 4, 1939.

METHOD OF MOUNTING ORNAMENTAL ACCESSORIES ON STEERING WHEELS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 25, 1936 TZ E YUP 0502c: 141.6587 .Z yo/v. W i

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF MOUNTING ORNAMENTAL ACCESSORIES N STEERING WHEELS George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J.Application November 25, 1936, Serial No. 112,664 4 Claims. (01. 153-1This invention relates to-- steering wheel con-- structions, and moreparticularly to a novel meth-- 0d of assembling an ornamental accessoryon a steering wheel.

5 This is a continuation in part-of my co-pending application forSteering wheel construction, Serial No. 748,989, filed October 19, I934,tPatent No. 2,081,593, granted May 25, 1937 and it is also acontinuation in part of my co-pending application for Steering wheelconstruction, Serial No. 731,805, filed June 22, 1934, (Patent No.2,081,592, granted May 25, 1937) As. pointed out in my above referred tocopending applications, hard rubber, wooden or all metal steering wheelsare objectionable. Rubber wheels are very sticky, tacky anduncomfortable to the hand. Wooden wheels have the same objectionablefeatures, and the finish on wooden wheels wears off after relativelyshort usage.

Both wooden and rubber wheels cannot be madeto harmonize with theinterior appointments of an automotive vehicle, for example, to as greatan extent as is desirable. heavy, uncomfortable as to temperature andprohibitively expensive to manufacture withthe desired finish thereon.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a steering wheel with a smooth,clean, metallic surface for contact with the hands of a user and, asalso set forth in my aforementioned co -pending application, it has beenfound that this can best be done by way of applying a ring, band, beador'the like of metal or equivalent substance to the external surface ofa wheel rim. Thus, economy of -.manufacture ismaintained, and theresultant wheel construction, if used on an automotive vehicle,harmonizes in any desirable manner with the other interior appointments,and at the same time provides a construction that will maintain apleasing appearance throughout considerableusage and will always presenta clean, smooth: surface for contact by the hands of a user.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel method for mountingan ornamental accessory of the above described type ona steering wheel.

It is another object of this. invention to provide a novel method ofassembling an. ornamental accessory on a wheel which is economical andwhich provides a resulting structure which is rugged and reliable inuse.

A further object of this invention is to. provide a novel steering wheelconstruction wherein a metallic bandmay be attached to the. wheel.

in such, a manner that the band will be in All metal wheels are" closeproximity to the surface of. the wheel along the edgeportions of. theband, yet the. body of the band will be spaced. from the wheel, the.band being rolled." into position and the wheel being. standard withoutany special formation. to accom- 5 modate the band.

A further object; of this. invention is to providean ornamental ring orband for attachment to a steering wheel of such. construction that. theband may be initially passed. over the maximum 10,: outer diameter ofthewheel. rim and then. subsequently rolled. into engagement with the wheelrim, leaving the main. body portion of the ring or band in spacedrelationship tothe: outer: surface of the. rim.

A still further object. of. this invention is to pro-- vide a band.engageable over a wheel: rim by gradually pressingit away from. aninitial point of contact, the. band being secured to the: wheelrim aftersuch pressing engagement thereof. 20

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel. method forattaching an ornamental means to. asteering wheel, which means thickensthe. composite. structure after. attachment, affording. acomfortablegrip somewhat. resilient in character when. squeezed,- but more. thanamply firm and. rigid forproper' handling of the wheel.

Another and further objectioff thisinvention. is; to. provide a. newand. novel. method of. making. a ring, band, bead, annular member or thelike for attachment. to the external surface of. an. ob-

ject.

The novel. features which I believe to be char-- acteristic of myinvention are set forth with par ticularity'im the appended claims; Myinvention itself, however, both: as to its; organization and method ofoperation, together with. further objects. and advantages thereof, maybest be; understood. by reference to; the following, description.takenin connection. with the: accompanying drawings,

inwhich:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a composite. steering wheel construction,embodying principles of the present invention; I

Figure 2. is. an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view of thestructure shown. in Figure l, taken substantially as indicated by theline. II--II. of Figure 1-, and. illustrating the composite, structurecompleted;

Figure. 3v is any enlarged transverse central sectional view, taken.substantially as indicated, by the line. III.-III of Figure. 1,, withthe; central portion. of the steering. wheel removed, illustrating aninitial step inthe application of the. bandto the steering wheel rim;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating an advanced stage inthe application of the band to the wheel rim;

Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged central sectional view similar to Figures3 and 4, illustrating the next to the final stage in applying the bandto the wheel rim;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a band constructionincluding a resilient member for engagement with a wheel rim;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing a band constructionincluding substantially resilient teeth for engagement with a wheel rim;

Figure 8 is substantially a development view of the band structure shownin Figures 7, showing the band laid out substantially in the flat, theview being an elevation of the interior of the band;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7, illustrating another form of atoothed band;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of the interior ofthebandshown in Figure 9;

Figure '11 is a view similar to Figure 9,illustrating still another formof construction;

Figure 1215 a view similarto Figure 2, showing a composite steeringwheel construction to which the attached member is removable andreplaceable at will;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary outside elevational view of the structureshown in Figure 12;

Figures 14, 15 and 16 illustrate further forms of steering wheelconstruction which may be assembled according to the method of thepresent invention; and

Figure 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 101 a compositesteering wheel construction with a. specially formed wheel rim, theornamental member of which is susceptible of being mounted according tothe prescribed method of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

At the outset, it may be best to note that the plan'view of Figural isso nearly illustrativeof the composite steering wheel constructionsshown in the other views, except, of course, for obvious variations,that it is not deemed necessary herein to illustrate the other compositeconstructions in kind.

While the composite steering wheel construc- ,tion in theinstanceof-Figure 1 and several of the other figures of the drawings isdisclosed as including a wheel rim with a completely annular bead orband disposed therearound, it will be obvious that such beador band mayor may.

not have the ends'thereof secured together to form a complete ring-likestructure, but may, if so desired, extend only a portion of the wayaround the periphery of the wheel rim, and may, if so desired, be in theformof one or more annular portions with spaces therebetween, de-

pending upon the exigencies of particular circumstances. V

It is also to be understood that the band may be in the form of a splitring, forcibly expanded over the wheel rim and then permitted tocontract into tight engagement with the wheel rim. The band may also bea continuous, endless band applied to the wheel rim by application ofpressure away from an initial point of' contact until the entire band isforced over the wheel rim. The preferable form for the band, however, isan initially split ring with the ends thereof buttwelded prior to theapplication of the band to the wheel.

Further, it is to be distinctly understood that while the steering wheelproper is shown in certain figures as being of a substantially ovalcrosssection, and in other figures as being of circular cross-section,the bands or rings applied to the wheel rims are not limited to theparticular wheel rim with which a particular band may be illustratedherein, but any of the forms of the bands shown and described herein isapplicable equally, as well to a wheel rim ofsubstantially anycross-sectional character desired.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, seen in Figures1 to 5, inclusive, there is shown a steering wheel I, which may be ofany standard construction, having a wheel rim 2, also of any desirablestandard construction or any preferable cross-sectional characteristicor shape. In this instance, the cross-sectional shape of the rim issubstantially oval, and along the undersurface thereof the rim isprovided with the usual finger humps 3. An annular band, generallyindicated in Figure l by reference numeral 4, is shown attached to theouter surface of the wheel rim 2. This annular band is preferably ofrelatively thin metallic stock, but may, of course, be of any suitableor equivalent material. As best seen in ,FiguresZ and 5, the band 4 doesnot completely encircle the wheel rim in a transverse direction, butpreferably only overlies the upper outer portion of the wheel rim whereit is in position to present a smooth, clean surface for contact by thehands of a user.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 5, the band 4 includes a transverselyarcuate body portion 5 having an inwardly turned upper margin 6 and aninwardly turned lower margin 1. In this instance, the upper margin 6projects inwardly beyond the lower margin 1, but it will be understoodthat either margin may project inwardly farther than the other, as maybe deemed most desirable. If the upper margin projects inwardly thefarthest, the band is preferably pressed down over the wheel rim fromabove, while if the lower margin projects inwardly the most, the band ispreferably attached by pressing it over the wheel rim upwardly frombelow. The band is somewhat flexible in nature, and it will be notedthat the lower margin 1 has an internal diameter somewhat less than themaximum outside diameter of the wheel rim 2. The band, however, can begradually forced over the wheel rim so as to cause the margin 1 to passby the outside maximum diameter of the wheel rim while the margin 6intimately engages the wheel rim on the opposite side of the maximumdiameter.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the body portion 5 of the band may, if sodesired, be provided with ventilation apertures 8 therein, theseapertures being arranged as shown in the form of a desirable design orin any other desirable manner. When attached, the body portion 5 of theband is preferably in spaced relationship to the outer surface of thewheel rim so that there is ample room for free circulation of airbetween the wheel rim and the body portion of the band.

The band is preferably formed in endless style prior to its applicationto the rim 2. Initially the band is cut from a sheet of flat stock andis then run through a suitable rolling mechanism wherein the bodyportion 5 is made arcuate, and the marginal edges 6 and l are giventheir desired shape. Preferably at least one of the marginal edges ofthe band 4 is folded inwardly at an angle. It is contemplated using along strip of stock, and when the same has passed through the rollingmechanism it will assume a spiral the rim at this initial point ofcontact.

. adequately ventilate the band.

shape as itv comes out. -It can. then be cut. off into portionsofnsuitable lengths and will alreadyhave a tendency to assume a circularform.

A variation in the making of this annular band with substantially equalfacility may also be adopted. After the initial rolling step, namely thearcing of the portion 5, the strip might then be cut into. desiredlengths, the ends of the strip being secured together and one or both ofthe marginal portions 6. and I folded inwardly in a pressing operation.Of course, it is apparent that either way of making the strip is notonly rapid and labor saving, but exceedingly economical. A preferablemethod of applying the band to the rim is illustrated best in Figures 3to 5, inclusive. The band is first preferably applied to the rim at aninitial, relatively small area of contact, designated 9 in Figures 3 and4, and the band is held in tight engagement with In this position, theupper margin '6 is somewhat lower than it will be when the band isultimately in complete engagement with the rim.- When engaged with therim at the initial point of contact,

1 the entire, band will be in the dotted line position designated A inFigure 3. While holding the band in tight engagement with the rim at theinitial point of contact, pressure is applied to the band at relativelysmall spaced intervals,

-= preferably on both sides of the point of contact,

gradually working the band over the rim away from the point of contact.

After one or more applications of pressure upon each side of the band,the band will then i l have assumed the position designated B in Figure3, the opposite portion of the band from the point 9 being still abovethe rim. Continued working of the band away from the point 9 results inthe band assuming the position designated C in Figure '4. After thisposition, it is a simple expedient to force the opposite or elevatedportion of the band downwardly over the rim. This working or forcingoperation of the band is necessary due to the fact, as above stated,that the lower margin '7 of the band is of slightly less diameter thanthe maximum outside'diameter' of the rim. After the band has been forcedover the rim, the band will then be in the position seen in Figure 5. Itwill be noted that during the forcing of the band over the rim, themargin 6 of the band gradually works itself upwardly adjacent theinitial point 9 so that it assumes intimate contact with the rim at ahigher level than at which it was started.

With the band worked over the rim, it will be noted that the lowermarginal portion I is in slightly spaced relationship from the rim(Figure 5), and so a rolling or kicking operation is preferably utilizedto turn this marginal portion 1 into intimate contact with the rim asthe same is seen in Figure 2.

With the completion of the rolling or kicking operation, the band is infirm engagement with the rim, both marginal portions 6 and 'I being inintimate engagement with the rim, and any pressure applied tending toforce the band off the rim would cause the marginal portion 1 to biteinto the rim, securely holding the band in position with these marginalportions engaged with the rim on opposite sides of the maximum outsidediameter of the rim. The body portion 5 of the band will still be-inspaced relationship to the outer surface of the rim, allowing sufficientair circulation through the openings 8 to The intimate engagement of themargins 6 and I; with the rim effectively prevents the turning of theband relatively to. the rim, resulting in a composite constructionoperable as a unit. The rolling operation may be performed veryexpeditiously and very economically, giving a resultant compositesteering Wheel construction that harmonizes with the interiorappointments of .a vehicle, and that is clean, smooth and cool to thetouch. In other words, such a composite steering wheel construction isnot fatiguing to the hands, even after long usage, and there will be notendency for the driver to remove his hands from the wheel due totiresome or unpleasant feeling caused by the wheel.

In Figure 6, I have shown the same type of steering wheel 2, equippedwith a band having a body portion 24, an inwardly turned upper marginand a lower margin 25 reversely bent in spaced relationshipv to the bodyportion 24. Clamped between the body portion and the inwardly turnedmargin 26 is an annular resilient member 21 preferably of rubber orequivalent substance, designed to engage the outer surface of the wheelbelow the maximum outside diam eter thereof. The resilient insert 2'! issufilciently flexible in nature to permit the forcing of the banddownwardly vover the wheel rim with a consequent distortion of theinsert. Immediately upon forcing the band downwardly over the wheel rim,the insert will effectively grip the wheel rim and hold the bandthereupon.

In Figures 7 and 8', I have shown the wheel rim 2 equipped'with a bandhaving a body portion 28, an upper inwardly extending margin 29 engagedwith the surface of the wheel rim, and a plurality of spaced teethinwardly turned and extending at an angle to the arcuate body portion28. These teeth 30 are preferably few in number and, as, shown, arerelatively wide, being positioned at relatively widely spaced intervals.The teeth 30, are sufficiently resilient to permit forcing them over themaximum outside diameter of the rim, and these teeth, as seen moreclearly in Figure 11, extend inwardly at a proper angle for bitingengagement with the rim below the maximum outside diameter thereof.Adequate ventilation openings are provided between the teeth. Anydesirable number of such teeth may be utilized, but the preferablenumber is four spaced substantially ninety degrees apart. Of course,after the band has been once applied to the wheel rim, it issubstantially impossible to remove the band Without destructive actioneither to the band or to the rim. The band 28 may be applied to they rimveryv efficiently in the manner above described in connection withFigures 1 to 5, inclusive.

In Figures 9 and 10, I have shown a still different form of band forapplication to a wheel rim 2. The band in this instance includes atransversely arcuate body portion 3| having an inwardly turned uppermargin 32 for tight engagement with the wheel rim above the maximumoutside diameter thereof, and also a plurality of inwardly turned teeth33 at relatively narrow spaced intervals. These teeth are preferablybent outwardly inan intermediate portion thereof, as indicated at 34.Such bending reduces the internal diameter of the nibs of the teeth andcauses these nibs to extend inwardly at an angle suitable for bitingengagement with the surface of the wheel rim beneath the maximum outsidediameter. The lessening of the internal. diameter'of the nibs of theteeth permits the teeth, which are substantially resilient; incharacter, to be forced over the maximum outside diameter of the wheelrim in the manner above described in connection with Figures 1 to 5,inclusive. After such placing of the band over the wheel rim, no rollingor kicking operation is necessitated, and the teeth efiectively biteinto the surface of the wheel rim, preventing removal of the band.Adequate ventilation openings are provided between the teeth.

Figure 11 illustrates a still different form of band applid to a wheelrim 2. In this instance, the band comprises a body portion 35 having arather sharply inwardly turned upper margin 35 for intimate engagementwith the surface of the rim. The lower margin 36 of the band is spacedfrom the wheel rim, and just within this margin is an annular resilientcontra'ctible element 31. The lower margin 36 may be turned inwardly toa suflicient extent to insure the holding of the contractible element31. This contractible element preferably comprises an inner spring wirecovered with a wrapping of rubber or some similar resilient material,and the member is so arranged as to tightly embrace the wheel rim belowthe maximum outside diameter thereof. This member may either be providedas a part of the band prior to the forcing of the band over the wheelrim, or may be stuffed into the space between the band and rim after theband has been placed in position. If the latter method is utilized, theband is preferably kicked inwardly after application to turn the lowermargin 36 and to turn the upper margin 35 inwardly to a greater extent,the body portion 34 of the band being somewhat flattened in this kickingor rolling operation.

In Figures 12 and 13 another composite structure is shown in which theannular member is removable from and replaceable on the wheel rim 2. Theannular member includes an outwardly arcuate portion 4| spaced from thewheel rim 2, except for the upper and lower edges thereof. Struckinwardly at spaced intervals from the body of the portion 4| are aplurality of gripping members 42. Each of these gripping members is bentinwardly and provided with a rounded reverse bend 43 for resilientgripping engagement with the surface of the wheel rim. The formation ofeach gripping member provides an aperture 44 suitable for ventilatingpurposes, and these apertures fully insure easy and positive gripping ofthe steering wheel structure without interfering to an undue extent withsliding of the wheel through the hands.

In Figure 14, I have shown a construction comprising an annular memberwhich includes an outwardly arced portion 44' and an inwardly turnedmarginal portion 45 having a plurality of spaced teeth 46 therearound.The spaces between the teeth 46 provide adequate ventilation in theinterior of the annular member. The teeth 46 diifer from those of eitherFigure '7 or Figure 9 in that their outer extremities are bent away fromthe wheel rim 2 rather than into biting engagement therewith. In thepresent form, the inherent resiliency of the teeth and the frictionalengagement thereof with the rim 2 effectively secure'the annular member44' to the rim 2. This form of annular member may also be applied asdescribed in connection with Figures 1 to 5.

In Figure 15, I have shown a different form of construction which may beconveniently built up at the factory. In this instance, a speciallyformed wheel rim 4! is utilized, this rim having a plurality of spacedgrooves 48 formed in the external surface thereof, the annular memberbeing in the form of two annular shells 49, each outwardly arced andeach provided with a pair of inwardly turned margins 50 seated in thegrooves .48. The two confronting margins 59 are seated in the same'central groove 48. The two annular shells 49 are secured to the wheelrim by a rolling or spinning process, such as described in connectionwith Figures 1 to 5.

Another factory-built permanent composite structure is shown in Figure16, which also includes a specially formed wheel rim 59 provided with apair of spaced grooves The annular member includes an outwardly arcedportion 52 normally in spaced relationship to the wheel rim, andinwardly bent marginal portions 53 are engaged in the grooves 5|. Thisannular member is also rolled or spun upon the wheel rim. The annularmember is further provided with one or more ventilation apertures 54 toeliminate a dead air space between the annular member and the wheel rim.

Still another factory-built composite structure is shown in Figure 17,in which is used a specially formed wheel rim 55 having a relativelynarrow annular projection 56 on the outer surface thereof. Thisprojection 56 is preferably substantially T-shaped in cross-section. Theannular member in this instance is in the form of a closely fitting band51 having a pair of inwardly turned marginal portion 58 formed aroundthe upper and lower projecting annular beads on the part 56. The band 51is also attached by a rolling or spinning process.

From the above description, it will be apparent that I have provided anextremely simple and novel method of mounting ornamental accessories onsteering wheels and the like. The various constructions described aboveillustrate the wide variety of ornamental members which may be mountedon steering wheels according to the method of the present invention.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will, ofcourse, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, sincemany modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by theappended claims to cover all such modifications as fall'within the truespirit I and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of mounting a metallic band to a steering wheel rim, withthe central body portion of the band spaced therefrom, which includespressing a band whose edge diameters are slightly less than the maximumoutside diameter of said rim over the rim until one of the edges of saidband is in engagement with the outer surface of the rim, and thenrolling the opposite edge of said band into direct contact with said rimwhile leaving the central body portion of said band spaced from saidrim.

2. The method of completing a steering wheel construction, whichincludes mounting ,on, a wheel rim a metallic band having inwardlyturned marginal portions whose clearance diameters are slightly lessthan the maximurn outside diameter'of said rim, by pressing one of saidmarginal portions of the band over said maximum outside diameter of therim, and then rolling at least one of said marginal portions into directoblique engagement with said wheel rim said marginal portions being oneon each side of said maximum diameter.

3. The method of applying a transversely arcuate band to a steeringwheel rim where the maximum outside diameter of the rim is slightlygreater than the inner edge diameters of the band, which includespressing said band into intimate engagement with said rim at onerelatively small area with the band extending at an angle to said rim,retaining the band and rim engaged at'said area, working said band ontosaid rim both ways from said area until that portion diametricallyopposite said area is pressed into position, the edge of the band whichhas been forced over said rim being spaced from said rim at this stage,and rolling said last mentioned edge of said band obliquely into contactwith said rim.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

